Places to See
Tin Dog Creek & "Rusty", the tin dog
Rusty the Tin Dog stands guard at the West entrance to Dowerin on the Dowerin - Goomalling Road. Rusty the Tin Dog was developed in 2004 when the children from Dowerin District High School developed a project initiative to encourage people to stop in Dowerin. The students helped with Rusty's initial design, sourced funding for his materials and employed an artist to build him. The students were inspired by the legend of Rusty's home, Tin Dog Creek which originally got its name during settlement ini the area and the commencement of mining in the Yilgarn Goldfields. |
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 | The story goes that settlers in Northam started using the surrounding land to feed and rest their stock during winter and driving them home whent he feed started to dry off. A track was opened up as a result of this leading to Moujakine, Yarragin & Eunuin. From Goomalling onwards, the road followed a chain of water soaks, one of which became known as 13 Mile Soak. The miners who were on their way to the Goldfields would leave their empty tinned beef cans (affectionately called 'Tinned Dog') by the water soak and thus Tin Dog Creek got its unique name (S.Gervas 1997) |
Tin Dog Creek Walking Trail
 | Why not join Rusty the Tin Dog on an adventure throughout Tin Dog Creek, located just off Redding Road. Pick up a walk trail map from the Tourist Information Bay on Goldfields Road and follow the green or red Rusty signs to enjoy the long or short walk trail. Enjoy a stroll through some of the last stands of untouched bush in the wheatbelt, there are many educational signs for your i nterest, the Tin Dog Creek Bird Hyde and some resting points along the way. |
District Museum
A visit to the Dowerin District Museum offers a unique view of how settlers lived in a genuine cottage with furnishings from 1915- 1930's and various artefacts from around the district. The building was originally built in 1915 by Eugene O'Shaughnessy to bring his new bride to Dowerin. The story of the house and its inhabitants as told by Carmel Redding (daughter of Eugene O'Shaughnessy) are rich accounts of life in Wheatbelt WA in the first half of 20th Century. Bookings are by arrangement through the Dowerin Visitors Centre or the Shire Administration Offices. |
The Rabbit Proof Fence No. 2
Runs north/south through the eastern third of the shire, this fence was built in 1907- 1908 and much of it remains in good condition. Mileposts mark the distance from the south coast. The fence originally went from Point Anne to north of Cue, where it turned east to join Rabbit Proof Fence No. 1 at Gum Creek.
It is one of three long fences in the state designed to control the rabbit plague, which could wreak enormous havoc in agricultural areas. The fences failed in their purpose, although much time and money was expended to make them work. They stand as a monument to human intention to control a pest, which was and is a national problem. The fences are an indication of the widely held fear of the rabbit invasion and the limited and desperate ideas used to control the pest.
Namelcatchem Reserve
A 600 acre CALM Class A1 Reserve 17 km east of the town of Dowerin, at the intersection of the Minnivale-Cunderdin Roads and the Dowerin-Wyalkatchem Roads. Still visible today are wagon wheel tracks made by travelers on their journey to the gold fields in the late 1800’s.
Namelcatchem Well
Situated about 100 metres within the Reserve, this well was initially used to provide water to miners traveling to the gold fields. It was later used to provide water for horse teams transporting wheat to Minnivale. The well was built some time before 1865, making it the earliest European built structure in the area. It held sufficient water for 70 horses.
Minnivale Church
Built in 1925, it is an excellent example of a vernacular church building in the wheatbelt. Minnivale was named by Alexander Forest in 1911 after the daughter of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Miss Minnie Frazer. Today, it is now mainly used by the Church of Christ and is located just a few kilometers north of the Namelcatchem Reserve along the Minnivale –Cunderdin Road.
The Uniting Church
Built in 1924, the church reflects the fact that Methodism closely followed the development of the Wheatbelt. A new porch, vestry and hall were built in the 1950’s. The first church in the area, built at Dowerin Lakes in 1908 was Methodist.
St Barnabas Anglican Church
Built in 1939 for the Catholic Church, but used by the Anglican community after 1967. It has a steeply pitched roof and is constructed from locally produced cement bricks.
Daren Lakes
The name of the Shire and the townsite of Dowerin is derived from the aboriginal word “Daren” given to a series of lakes – once fresher, some 8-10 kilometers south of the town. It was originally established as a watering hole and resting place for prospectors and travelers on their way to the goldfields. It was first settled in 1895, but the railway in 1906 was unable to be built in the area and as a consequence, the townsite was moved to the present site. There is a brass plaque marking the spot where the original town reserve once stood.
Pioneers' Pathway
Starting in either Perth or Merredin, this scenic journey wanders past expansive wheatbelt farmland and through the towns of Goomalling, Dowerin, Wyalkatchem, Trayning, Kununoppin and Nungarin. This trip is a rewarding alternative to the Great Eastern Highway direct route and adds only 44 kilometres to the journed when travelling between Perth and Merredin.
Goomalling, Dowerin, Wyalkatchem, Trayning, Nungarin, Merredin - A unique Wheatbelt destination that will delight all travellers.
- Spring wildflowers, natural rolling vistas, unique rural history
- Lakes, huge granite outcrops, nature walks, bird watching
- Off road driving, museums, history, heritage
- Safe family holidays, excellent roads, comfortable stops
Anderson Hall
This hall (formerly St Barnabas) was opened on the 6 June, 1909. The building was constructed by the Northam Back Blocks Mission out of weatherboard, probably precut in Northam and carted or railed to Dowerin. It was partially destroyed by a “willy-willy” in 1923. The last ce was heservild in 1967. It is now a part of the local district schoolcomplex.
